Flashboard riser system and method for water management

Abstract

An automated flashboard riser device comprises a housing with a rotatable gate that can be incrementally positioned to control flow of water over an upper edge of the gate. The device is installed at a control point in an impoundment area, such as a settling pond. The gate is raised and lowered by rotation of the gate about a hinge. Automatic control is provided for operation of the gate by a controller communicating with an actuator. A system of the invention includes the automated flashboard riser device and the controller. A method of the invention includes controlling flow of water from an impounded water source by use of the automated flashboard riser device. Manual or non-automated embodiments are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A device to control flow of water from an impounded water source in which the device is installed, the impounded water source having sidewalls and a bottom, said device comprising: a housing including sidewalls, a rear wall, and a base forming an enclosure; said base secured to said housing and forming a lower portion thereof; a supporting frame formed on a front face of the housing and interconnecting said sidewalls; wherein said side walls include two sidewalls spaced from one another by a width of said device defined by a width of said supporting frame; a gate rotatably mounted to said housing along said supporting frame; a pipe connected to said enclosure for transporting water away from said enclosure; said gate having a panel and at least one panel guide secured to said panel, said at least one panel guide having an upper surface received in a guide slot formed on an upper portion of said supporting frame of said housing, and said at least one panel guide having a converging side surface attached to said panel; an actuator communicating with said gate to selectively and controllably raise and lower said gate; and wherein said device is installed in the impounded water source, and said gate is then rotatable about an axis by said actuator so that an upper surface of said panel controls water flow over said gate and through said housing.

2. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said at least one panel guide includes two panel guides, a first panel guide of said two panel guides being secured to one side edge of said panel, and a second panel guide of said two panel guides being secured to an opposite side edge of said panel.

3. The device, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said guide slot includes two guide slots, each guide slot being positioned to receive a corresponding panel guide of said gate.

4. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said gate is rotatable about a hinge rod mounted to said housing and connected to respective lower ends of said panel and said at least one panel guide.

5. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said actuator comprises a cable attached to said gate, said cable being retracted and extended in order to selectively and controllably raise and lower said gate.

6. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said at least one panel guide has an arcuate upper surface enabling said arcuate upper surface to remain within said guide slot as said gate is rotated during operation.

7. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said upper surface of said panel extends substantially parallel to said axis of rotation.

8. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said housing further includes at least one platform mounted to an upper surface of said housing.

9. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said housing further includes at least one stiffener mounted to an upper surface of said housing.

10. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said side walls include two substantially parallel spaced sidewalls and a rear curved sidewall interconnecting said parallel spaced sidewalls.

11. The device, as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said pipe is mounted to said rear curved sidewall.

12. A system to control flow of water from an impounded water source, the impounded water source having sidewalls and a bottom, said system comprising: (a) a device including a housing having sidewalls, a rear sidewall, and a base forming an enclosure, a gate rotatably mounted to said housing along a front portion thereof, a water conveying tube connected to said housing for transporting water from said enclosure, said gate having a panel and at least one panel guide secured to said panel, said at least one panel guide having an upper surface received in a guide slot formed on an upper portion of said front portion of said housing, and said at least one panel guide having a converging side surface attached to said panel, and an actuator communicating with said gate to selectively and controllably raise and lower said gate, (b) a controller communicating with said actuator to control operation of said gate, said controller being programmed to execute selected commands to control said gate; and wherein said device is installed in the impounded water source, and said gate is rotatable by said actuator so that an upper surface of said panel controls water flow over said gate and through said housing.

13. The system, as claimed in claim 12, further including: an integral power source for powering said controller and said actuator.

14. The system, as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said actuator includes a motor and mechanical means communicating with said gate to selectively and controllably raise and lower said gate.

15. The system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein: said mechanical means comprises at least one of gears, cable spools, rollers, dampening mechanisms including torsion springs or oil dampeners, and motors.

16. The system, as claimed in claim 14, further including: user interfaces associated with said controller providing a user options to program and select features relating to system control.

17. The system, as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said user interfaces provide functionality to execute operation and control of said gate in response to inputs to said controller.

18. A method of controlling flow of water from an impounded water source to accommodate a desired water column level, said method comprising: assembling a device including a housing having sidewalls, a rear sidewall, and a base forming an enclosure, a gate rotatably mounted to said housing, a water conveying tube connected to said housing for transporting water from said housing, said gate having a panel and at least one panel guide secured to said panel, said at least one panel guide having an upper surface received in a guide slot formed on an upper portion of a front face of said housing , said at least one panel guide having a converging side surface attached to said panel, and an actuator communicating with said gate to selectively and controllably raise and lower said gate; providing a controller communicating with said device to control operation of said gate, said controller including at least one user interface enabling a user to select commands to be executed for operational control of said gate; installing the device in the impounded water source; generating at least one input to said controller for detecting a status of said gate; and executing at least one output from said controller to complete a command for operational control of said gate, said at least one output resulting in manipulation of said actuator to selectively and controllably raise and lower said gate; and wherein a selected position of said gate results in control of a height of a water column by water that flows through said housing and over an upper edge of said panel and said gate is rotatable by said actuator so that an upper surface of said panel controls water flow over said gate and through said housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art flashboard riser device;

(2) FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the prior art flashboard riser device of FIG. 1 with one or more boards installed in the device to control water flow;

(3) FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the prior art flashboard riser device of FIG. 1 installed in an impounded body of water;

(4) FIG. 4 is a partially fragmentary perspective view of the flashboard riser device of one embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a partially fragmentary side elevation view of the flashboard riser device of FIG. 4;

(6) FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the flashboard riser device of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 7 is a top elevation view of the flashboard riser device of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the flashboard riser device of the invention installed in an impounded body of water;

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the flashboard riser device of the invention with the gate of the device in a fully closed position with the upper edge of the gate raised to the highest position;

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the flashboard riser device of the invention with the gate of the device in a partially open position with the upper edge of the gate in a partially raised or partially lowered position;

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the flashboard riser device of the invention with the gate of the device in a fully open position with the upper edge of the gate lowered to the lowest position; and

(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the flashboard riser device of the invention installed as shown in FIG. 8, and further illustrating system components including solar panels for a power source, a controller for automatic control of the flashboard riser device, an inverter, a battery, and a control motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one example of a prior art flashboard riser 10 is illustrated. The riser 10 has a housing 12 with a vertically extending sidewall 16. The sidewall 16 forms a partial concave enclosure with an opening 14 formed along a lower central portion of the sidewall 16. The opening 14 communicates with a water conveying tube or pipe 22 that allows water to be carried downstream. The front face of the housing 12 has a pair of opposing board retaining slots 20. The slots are intended to receive one or more boards 24, as shown in FIG. 2. The housing 12 may further include a cross brace or cross support 18 that can be used to manipulate the positioning of the riser 10 during installation or use.

(14) During operation of the riser 10, the boards 24 are placed within the opposing slots 20. The top board 24 has an elevation at its upper surface 25 corresponding to a height of the water column which is intended to be drained if the water column height is above the height or elevation of the upper surface 25. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the water line 26 is shown as being close to the upper surface 25 of the top board 24.

(15) FIG. 3 illustrates the prior art flashboard riser 10 installed in a containment area in which the riser 10 is used to control downstream flow of water W, such as water in a settling pond. In many typical installations, the settling pond is contained within an earthen dam D. Over time, vegetation V may grow in and around the dam D and therefore, some maintenance may be required to keep the front face of the riser 10 free from obstructions to include vegetation or other objects which may become entangled or caught against the front face of the riser. While flashboard risers similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 have proven to be simple, effective, and reliable water control structures, the flashboard riser of the invention is directed to overcoming some of the problems associated with prior art flashboard risers.

(16) Referring to FIG. 4, the flashboard riser of the invention 40 is illustrated in a preferred embodiment. One primary distinguishing feature of the riser 40 is the use of a rotating gate 50 used to control the height of the water column in the body of water in which the riser is installed. Structurally, the riser 40 includes a housing 42 having two substantially parallel sidewalls 44 interconnected by rear curved sidewall 45. Accordingly, the housing in one respect can be characterized as forming a partial enclosure with an open front face which receives the rotatable gate 50. The lower portion of the housing 42 includes a base or bottom surface 46. The side walls 44 and 45 extend substantially perpendicular from the base 46.

(17) The gate 50 is mounted within the front face of the housing 42, and is rotatable about an axis A-A that extends substantially horizontal according to the orientation of the riser as illustrated. The gate 50 has a panel 52 with an upper edge 60 that functions to control the height of the water column allowed to overflow or overtop the panel 52. Two panel guides 54 are secured to the panel 52. The panel guides function to stabilize the rotation of the gate 50 in desired incremental positions as determined by a user. The front face of the housing 42 includes a supporting frame 48. Two opposing guide slots 56 are formed along the upper portion of the supporting frame 48 and are positioned to receive the upper peripheral curved edges 58 of the panel guides 54. As the gate is rotated, the peripheral curved edges 58 of the panel guides 54 remain within the guide slots 56 ensuring smooth and positive control of the panel 52. The upper peripheral curved edges 58 at their highest elevation reside below the upper edge 49 of the housing 42.

(18) The panel guides 54 are arranged such that the panel 52 is attached to one converging side surface 59 of each of the panel guides 54, and the other or opposite converging side surfaces 59 of the panel guides 54 are oriented so that the panel guides 54 extend substantially perpendicular to the panel 52. Optionally, a cross brace 62 may be used to stabilize the position of the panel guides 54. The cross brace 62 spans between and interconnects upper portions of the panel guides 54 at a point proximate to the exposed converging side surfaces 59.

(19) The housing 42 has an opening 72 which communicates with a tube or pipe 70. This tube/pipe 70 allows the water to be transported downstream as it flows through the housing 42. The opening 72 may be positioned in any desired area of the housing 42. For example, the opening 72 may be positioned in the rear curved sidewall 45, the sidewalls 44, or the base 46.

(20) Other illustrated features of the housing 42 include a platform 74 that partially encloses the upper exposed end of the housing 42. The platform 74 can be provided with a skid free surface so that the user may stand upon the platform in order to conduct maintenance or repair of the riser 40. The opposite side of the housing 42 may include a stiffener 76 which provides upper stiffening support to the housing 42. Wiper seals 78 may be located along the vertical edges of the frame 48 to inhabit leakage of water between the exterior surfaces of the panel guides 54 and the front frame 48 as the panel guides 54 rotate in and out of the housing 42.

(21) Referring also to FIG. 5, the positioning of the gate 50 is illustrated in its mounted position such that the vertex of the converging side surfaces 59 are mounted to a hinge pin or hinge rod 64 enabling the gate 50 to be selectively rotated. The hinge rod 64 may have a v-shaped channel 65 formed along its length to receive and secure the side surfaces 59 of the panel guides 54. In order to limit or prevent leakage of water through the housing 42 at the location where the hinge rod 64 is mounted, each end of the hinge rod 64 may be sealed with respect to the sidewall 44 of the housing by one or more bellow seals 68 as shown. There are a number of ways in which the hinge rod 64 may be mounted to the housing 42. Depending upon the size of the flashboard riser 40 as well as the particular height and width of the gate 50, the rotation ability of the hinge rod 64 may be enhanced by use of roller bearings (not shown) mounted to the side walls 44 and arranged to receive the respective opposite ends of the hinge rod 64.

(22) FIG. 5 also illustrates a casing 66 that can be used to house and support components associated with mounting of the hinge rod 64 within or against the sidewall 44. The casing 66, for example, can house the corresponding ends of the hinge rod 64, bearings, races to receive the bearings, and seals. The casing 66 may also house components of an actuator that can be used to manually or automatically change the position of the gate 50. For example, the casing 66 can house gears, cable spools, rollers, dampening mechanisms such as torsion springs or oil dampeners, and motors.

(23) Referring to FIG. 6, a front elevation view of the riser 40 is provided and which more particularly illustrates the general relationship of the gate 50 as it is mounted within the frame 48. The cross brace 62 has been removed from the gate for clarity. As shown, the peripheral curved edges 58 of the panel guides 54 are received in the guide slots 56. The upper edge 60 of the panel 52 extends substantially horizontally as shown and is illustrated in a substantially raised position such that the gate 50 is substantially closed.

(24) Referring to the top elevation view of FIG. 7, further details of the riser 40 are illustrated to include the general size and positioning of the platform 74 and stiffener 76. The platform 74 may be made larger or smaller to best accommodate a stepping and support surface for the user. As also shown, the downstream pipe 70 may be generally centered along the rear curved sidewall 45. FIG. 7 also illustrates the gate 50 in a substantially open position with the panel guides 54 withdrawn into the housing 42.

(25) Referring to FIG. 8, the riser 40 is illustrated in a containment area similar to the containment area shown in FIG. 3. The riser 40 can be used to control downstream flow of water W, such as water in a settling pond. The settling pond is contained within an earthen dam D, and vegetation V may grow in and around the dam D. Preferably, the sidewalls 44 are oriented substantially vertical so that the upper edge 60 of the panel 52 extends substantially horizontal. In this way, water will be able to uniformly flow over the upper edge 60, and will help to prevent uneven forces or torque against the gate 50 which may otherwise prevent it from smoothly rotating in various incremental positions. Although the riser 40 is illustrated within a particular type of water containment installation, it shall be understood that this is but one type of water containment application in which the riser 40 may be installed. In general, the riser 40 may be installed within any body of water in which a surrounding dam or support structure contains the water, and the riser 40 can be installed at a discharge point for water control purposes.

(26) FIGS. 9-11 illustrates various positions that the gate 50 may be positioned in order to serve as a water control structure. FIG. 9 illustrates a fully raised gate position in which the gate is rotated so that the panel 52 extends substantially perpendicular. Accordingly, the upper edge 60 in this position is at its highest elevation. This position requires the gate 50 to be fully rotated so that the panel guides 54 fully protrude from the front frame 48 of the housing 42. FIG. 10 illustrates a partially raised or partially lowered position in which the gate 50 has been rotated counterclockwise according to the view in this figure. Accordingly, the height of the upper edge 60 is lowered compared to the position illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 illustrates a fully lowered gate position in which the gate 50 is rotated further counterclockwise so that the panel 52 extends substantially horizontal. Accordingly, the panel guides 54 and panel 52 are received and withdrawn into the housing 42, and the upper edge 60 is at its lowest elevation. The depth of the space within the housing 42 is such that it may receive the panel 52 and panel guides 54 in this lowered gate position. One can appreciate from review of FIGS. 9-11 that the gate 50 may be raised or lowered in an infinite number of positions to accommodate a desired water column level

(27) In another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 12 illustrates an automated flashboard riser system that can be used for remote and automatic control of the riser 40. Reference numeral 100 generally represents a motor that is mounted to the housing of the riser 40. The motor may be used to rotate or change the position of the gate 50. The motor may be controlled automatically by a controller operated by the user. Accordingly, FIG. 12 also illustrates a control center 94 which may house a controller 96, such as a micro-industrial controller. The controller 96 may communicate by wire or wirelessly with the motor 100. The controller 96 may be programmed to operate the gate 50 and therefore manipulate positioning of the gate 50 in the desired orientation with respect to height of the water column in the impoundment area. FIG. 12 also illustrates one example of how the motor 100 may be independently powered, such as by solar panels 90 mounted locally to the riser 40. Pole mounted panels 90 can be used in which the solar panels 90 can be selectively oriented at a desired orientation with respect to the sun by manipulating the mounting structure, such as the pole 92. The control center 94 may also house a battery 98 used to store electrical energy generated by the solar panels 90. Other equipment may be housed within the control center such as an inverter (not shown) for the solar panels. Alternatively, the motor 100 itself may have its own integral battery power source, or the motor 100 may be powered by conventional grid power.

(28) Although the riser 40 may be automatically controlled, another aspect of the invention allows for manual control of the gate 50 for various reasons. For example, one or more of the risers may be installed in particularly isolated or difficult to access location, and it may be preferable to manually control such isolated riser(s) due to the cost or difficulty in installing a local power source. Accordingly, the actuator of the invention is adapted to receive a manual hand crank or other hand implement used to selectively rotate the gate in the desired position. As mentioned, one example for manual control may include use of a ratchet gear in which a hand crank manipulates the ratchet gear to the desired setting. The gate in this example is manually controlled by turning the crank by hand to position the gate in the desired angular orientation. Indexing of desired or pre-set gate positions may be accomplished manually by sight referenced markers placed on the panel guides 54 and indexed with a point located on the actuator such as a point placed on a gear or on mechanical linkage used to rotate the gate. As mentioned, incremental control of the position of the gate may be assisted by use of dampening devices, such as a torsion spring or an oil dampener in which the gate is prevented from relatively free rotation without overcoming the spring or dampening force. A dampening device may also be used to control the speed at which the gate is allowed to raise or lower, which provides a design feature for the gate to match incremental and changing settling pond conditions so that water is preferably only slowly released at the very top of the water column until the gate reaches a new operator set position.

(29) Automatic control by use of a controller may be achieved in which very small incremental positions of the gate can be set and changed. Inputs to the controller may include limit switches or optical sensors that detect positioning of the gate. Based on these inputs, output control signals can be generated to adjust the positioning of the gate. Other inputs to the controller may include level switch indicators that detect the level of the water column and which may trigger a programmed response to reposition the gate. For example during a rain event, it may be desirable to raise the level of the gate to prevent excessive overflow of water through the riser.

(30) In connection with automatic control, the invention further includes user options to program operation of the riser, and to independently set or override a programmed aspect of the control. The controller includes software or firmware enabling the programmable aspect of the system. Various user interfaces are provided to enable the user to select and control system operation. For example, with respect to the slow fall option associated with a slow and controlled lowering or falling of the gate, the program can instruct signals to the motor to gradually but slowly lower the gate until the set position is achieved. It is also contemplated that there can be automatic control provided directly at the field location where the riser is installed with simplified commands. For example, an input module may be connected directly to the motor with a limited number of control buttons to manipulate positioning of the gate. Examples of such simplified control could be an input module with separate buttons to Raise, Lower, Slowly Raise or Slowly Lower the gate.

(31) Another programmable option for the automated riser of the invention is to utilize a programmable and removable chip associated with an onboard controller of the motor. More specifically, a very simple and economical controller may be provided with the motor in which a programmable chip may be programmed and reprogrammed as necessary. One particular software protocol that may be used in conjunction with programming of a controller of the system may be use of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition type software (SCADA software). This software example is one which is specifically designed to be incorporated within a system that controls a number of remote and distinct types of field devices, such as wells, irrigation valves, etc.

(32) The invention further includes data acquisition and retention regarding history of operation for the automated riser of the invention. Such data may include gate index positions, gate position history, gate position history as a function of environmental conditions, etc. The data may also include the rate of water flowing through the riser device or the volume of water that has passed through the riser device. The water volume and water flow rate data may be received from a flow meter positioned within the device. This data can be used to further refine system programming and to improve system predictability and performance.

(33) Other aspects of operation and programmable control of the system include monitoring inputs. As mentioned, inputs to the controller may include various switches, sensors, timers, and the like. Specific examples of monitored conditions may include the current gate position, a history of gate position changes over a specified period of time, a battery charge status, and alarm or alert status history. In connection with an alarm or alert status, various conditions may trigger an alarm or alert such as an out of range water level condition with respect to the column of water being controlled by the riser, failed gate setting changes, a low battery condition, a freeze alert in which the body of water is frozen and may therefore prevent proper drainage, and various types of mechanical failures sensed by system inputs. Additional examples of monitored conditions may include a rainfall history, such as measured by an electronic rain gauge that communicates with the system, a soil moisture condition as measured by a soil moisture probe that communicates with the system, current weather and historical weather conditions obtained from various weather information services, still photo data as captured by one or more cameras which communicate with the system, and various water level sensors integrated within the system. It should be understood that this is not an exclusive and exhaustive listing of potential monitored inputs to the system, and that others may also be considered as other factors may affect optimal operation and performance of the automated riser.

(34) While the invention is disclosed herein in one or more preferred embodiments, it shall be understood that various changes and modifications can be made to the invention commensurate with the scope of the claims appended hereto.